We are pleased to announce the hiring of Elisa Zieg as our new Executive Director. Elisa is an experienced and enthusiastic non-profit leader with over 10 years’ experience in advocating for vulnerable children and youth. With a BS in Family Studies and an MA in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation she has been able to navigate challenges our children and youth face and give them hope for a bright future.
“Elisa will bring leadership and creativity to The Nest, and she has a breadth of perspective needed for this important role,” stated Board Chair Kirk Kasicki. “We are all very impressed, not only by her deep understanding of our mission, but also her obvious passion for the work.”
I am beyond excited to have been called to the role of Executive Director with The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home for homeless, pregnant, and parenting young women and their children. My passion to serve children and youth began at an early age when I had the privilege of growing up in a children’s home in Texas which demonstrated that family is more than blood—family is who you love and who loves you back.
Alyssa worked as a case manager for Children’s Division prior to joining The Sparrow’s Nest. She attends First Baptist Church of Harvester.
I am so excited to be a part of the team and ministry of The Sparrow’s Nest! I believe that the young women we serve deserve to know the love of their Creator and Heavenly Father. I also believe that they need to find their voice and be empowered to reach their full potential. I am committed to helping them in every way that I can.
Sue and her husband attend Harvester Christian Church. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren – Tracy and Rob, Zoey and Judah, Matt and Jenn, Ashlyn, Sarah, Abby.
For some time I had felt God nudging me to do something. I was always so busy I didn’t think I could fit one more thing into the day, but I knew God wanted me to trust Him and just take the step. After hearing about The Sparrows Nest at church I knew it was what He wanted me to do. I didn’t know what I would do, but He did! I took the step forward anyway and here I am. Retired and loving what I do at The Sparrows Nest! Little did I know that what I have done for a living for the last 25 years is what God wanted me to do for The Sparrows Nest. I am so blessed that God is using me in a way I never thought could be used to help His little ones know His love, His forgiveness, His redemption and how much He cares for them. I love the picture of how God rescues and heals us in Psalm 40:1-3. I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Deborah has attend Church on the Rock for ten years. She works in the Greeters ministry every Saturday. She has worked with children and teens for over twenty years. She has a degree in interior design and a deep passion for it. She has two wonderful children of her own – her daughter, Sierra Farmer (26) and her son, Kamron Mills (17).
About two years ago I prayed and asked God to bless me with a job. And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakkuk 2:2. I did exactly what the scripture told me. A year later I was blessed to find The Sparrow’s Nest and now I’m here to sing my Song. I was a young teen mother homeless and had a mind and heart with no hope. God had a different song for me. Now Jesus and I sing together. What a wonderful SONG!
Katie Wright graduated in May 2016 from Truman State and is currently enrolled in the Masters in Social Work program at UMSL. She is a member at Matthias Lot Church.
I wanted a job that pertained to my field and had a purpose and ministry. The Lord has always provided me with opportunities and jobs that help me learn to serve Him in so many ways. I found the Sparrow’s Nest through a friend and saw an opening and jumped on it, knowing the Lord is at work in this place. I love walking alongside these girls and fellow staff members and seeing how the Lord makes all things beautiful. His love is so evident and I am grateful each and every week for this opportunity.
Lois and her husband John have been married for 10 years. Together, they have six grown children – five daughters and one son – as well as one daughter-in-law and four sons-in-law, plus seven (and counting!) grandchildren. Lois and John are active in several areas of ministry at their church, West County Assembly of God. She is an RN who retired from nursing in September, 2015, after working 17 years at St. Luke’s Hospital in postpartum and newborn nursery, then 20 years in a large pediatric private practice. Lois’s favorite hobby is reading, mostly fiction. She also enjoys scrap booking and some wood crafts. She is a homebody, but loves travel when it involves spending time on a beach, or visiting children and grandchildren.
Several years ago, while reading a book by a favorite author, Francine Rivers, God spoke to my heart and challenged me to find a way to help moms who choose to give life to their babies. Through a series of circumstances, I found The Sparrow’s Nest online. I became a TLC in June, 2014. I quickly fell in love with the ministry at The Sparrow’s Nest. I enjoyed my opportunities to interact with the young women and their children, as well as the house parents and other TLCs. I was thrilled with the opportunity to become part of the Sparrow staff in July 2016, where I am now working as a house aide. Watching the ways God transforms the lives of the girls who come to the Nest is so exciting! These girls are beautiful, brave, and strong. I have gained far more from being with them than I will ever be able to give back. And I get to love on their babies too! The Sparrow staff is truly wonderful. Sometimes I can hardly believe that I am not only allowed to share my faith in Jesus at work, but am encouraged to do so! I know that God has called me to this ministry, and I am so blessed to be part of the Sparrow family.
Lisa has been employed with Missouri Department of Social Services for over 24 years. She obtained her graduate degree in School and Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University in 2004. Currently, she counsels the teen moms at Sparrow’s Nest as well as others in the St. Charles County community through Christian Family Services. Lisa is married and has two children. She enjoys scrapbooking, DIY projects, other crafts and growing a garden. Lisa is a member of Connection Christian Church.
I am excited to be part of the Sparrow’s Nest team! God has guided my path to be an integral part in the lives of the residents. I met Carissa at a Ladies Bible Study where I heard more about the mission and goals of Sparrow’s Nest. I knew then I wanted God to use me in the capacity to encourage and empower young single moms. I am passionate about equipping young women with godly tools and strategies to be strong leaders in their homes and the community. It is truly a blessing to share God’s love and mercy and be part of a wonderful team.
Kim and her husband, Tom, have been married for 33 years and have three sons, two daughters, two daughters-in-law, three grandchildren, and two dogs. They are members of Calvary Church and enjoy leading a small group that meets in their home. Kim feels blessed to have had the privilege of teaching their children for the past 24 years. She also enjoys reading, digital scrapbooking, doing puzzles, listening to minor league baseball, and organizing anything.
As I have entered my final years of homeschooling, I have had more time on my hands and had been praying about either a job or a place to serve. Just a short distance from my house I noticed a sign that read “Sparrow’s Nest”. After driving by it a couple times, I decided to look up the Sparrow’s Nest online. I read a little about the ministry, and I immediately knew that this was a ministry for which I’d like to volunteer. I called the number listed and within minutes found myself sitting in the office learning more about Sparrow and their volunteer opportunities. I began serving there by sorting and organizing donations in the office. A number of months later I became a TLC so that I could spend time encouraging the sweet girls that live at the Nest, and just recently took the next step to become a part of the Sparrow staff. I’m so thankful that God has allowed me to be a part of this incredible ministry.
Sara grew up in the St. Louis area and has been at her home church, New Heights Christian Church, for 20 years. Sara attended Saint Louis Christian College (SLCC) beginning in August of 2009 and has since graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music & Worship and the Bible and a second Bachelor’s in Behavioral Ministry. In between her times at SLCC, Sara moved to Knoxville, TN to earn her Master’s in Elementary Education in 2014-2015. Sara has spent most of her adult life in school and volunteering at her home church. She now works part time at New Heights as the Worship Ministry Leader and the Administrative Assistant and continues to volunteer as a youth sponsor.
For the past six years, I have loved working with teens at my home church. In the past, I had the opportunity to work at Emergency Shelter and Transitional Living Program in the area and I loved the work. However, my schedule was very intense in my time there and there were personal issues that lead me to step away from my position there to seek full-time employment. In August 2016, God laid it on my heart to seek work in the field again. Just a few weeks later, I heard about the opening at The Sparrows Nest and learned of this amazing organization. In my interview process and in my time thus far with The Sparrows Nest, every red flag and frustration I had in the field prior to finding The Sparrows Nest has been addressed. God has proven to me that this is where he wants me and I am so glad to be a part of this amazing team of people and organization.
Mackenna grew up in the St. Charles, Missouri area and has been a member of Harvester Christian Church for over 10 years. She has been involved in many children’s, women’s, and young women’s ministries associated with Harvester. She and her soon-to-be husband are advocates of seeking joy in all circumstances.
Listed on The Sparrow’s Nest website is the mission statement, part of which reads, “The mission of The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home is to provide a Christ centered shelter and to educate homeless, pregnant, and parenting young women by providing a wide range of services that empower them…” There is more stated after that, but how could I turn down an opportunity God had placed so heavily on my heart? An opportunity to be a part of empowering young women, while pouring as much of Christ’s love onto them and their babies as possible? The answer is that I couldn’t turn it down. I am eager and grateful to be a puzzle piece of the Sparrow’s Nest team!
Kristin started as a house aide in June, 2017. She grew up in her faith through her family practically from birth. She currently attends Maryville University and is pursuing a degree in psychology, with a minor in rehab. She plans to use this degree to help troubled adolescents with mental health and substance abuse struggles, and practice couple/family therapy. She aspires to one day run a treatment facility of her own.
The Sparrow’s Nest is an amazing place to get a good feel and start on my dream path, along with spiritual growth, and learn to help others with that too.
Taylor grew up in the St.Charles area and has been at Grace Community chapel for 8 years. She is a currently attending Missouri Baptist University where she is pursuing a degree in human services and psychology. She enjoys people and traveling.
After recently returning home from a three month missions trip working with victims of sex trafficking in Italy, I began to ask God why he brought me back to the U.S. I wanted another opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to girls who are looking for hope. I took a tour of Sparrow before I left for my trip and when I returned home God immediately brought the organization back the front of my mind. I quickly applied to be a weekend house aid. After my interviews and conversations with the team, God made it very clear that this is where he wants me to be. I can’t express how thankful I am to have the opportunity to serve alongside a staff who is pursuing Christ so passionately and loving others deeply as a result.
Hannah and her husband John have been married for three years. They have a one year old daughter, Evelyn. Hannah attended Lincoln Christian University from 2011 to 2016. She has a bachelor degree in Spiritual Formation and Ministry and an Associates in Education. She and her family just recently moved to St. Charles and attend Matthias’ Lot Church. She has been involved with many different children and youth ministries since she was in high school.
“I have spent the last few years working with the children of young mothers and in foster care. Through my experiences, I have learned the value of support and education for a young mother. It is invaluable to her children and the family as a whole. The Sparrow’s Nest provides both of these to young women, along with giving them a family. I am so excited to be a part of this ministry and to be witness to the great works of God as His love is poured out. I am humbled to be a part of the Sparrow Team and am excited to see what God has planned.”